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Taco night simply isn't the same without a warm, toasty stack of tortillas! My guide on How to Warm Tortillas outlines three simple methods to perfectly heat tortillas for everyone—and keep them warm all day without drying out!
Jump to:
- Warming Up Tortillas
- Benefits to Warming Tortillas
- What You Need to Warm Tortillas
- How to Warm Tortillas in the Oven
- How to Heat Tortillas in the Microwave
- How to Warm Tortillas on a Dry Skillet or Griddle
- How to Heat Up Tortillas Tips
- Easy Dinner Ideas
- How to Keep Tortillas Warm
- Heating Up Tortillas FAQ
- What to Serve with Tortillas
- How to Warm Tortillas
- Reviews
Warming Up Tortillas
No taco night is complete without a stack of perfectly toasty, warm tortillas! If you've ever had properly warmed tortillas at a taco bar before, you know the difference is huge. Warming tortillas not only renders them pliable, but also enhances their texture and enriches their flavor.
There are three different methods that are all equally easy for warming up tortillas. You can heat them up in seconds in the microwave, toast them to perfection on the stove, or warm them up in big batches in the oven—no matter which method you prefer, learning how to warm tortillas properly will take your taco nights to the next level!
Benefits to Warming Tortillas
Warming Flour Tortillas
- Warming flour tortillas makes them more pliable and easy to work.
- It brings out the richness and depth of flavor in the tortilla, better complementing your food.
- Perfect for tacos, burritos, and fajitas!
Warming Corn Tortillas
- Warming corn tortillas is a major game-changer. No more shattered, crumbly tortillas!
- Perfect for small street tacos, taquitos, and making dishes like my Mexican Tortilla Lasagna.
- If you're making gluten-free tacos, warming the tortillas is a must!
What You Need to Warm Tortillas
- Tortillas (flour or corn): This method will work for both flour and corn tortillas, so choose whichever you want to work with. Flour tortillas are made using regular flour, while corn tortillas use masa harina, which is a ground corn flour. Corn tortillas are gluten-free, but more prone to crumbling, which is why learning how to warm them properly makes such a significant difference!
- Aluminum foil (oven method): For the oven method, you will be wrapping your tortillas in aluminum foil.
- Paper towels (microwave method): For the microwave method, damp paper towels help warm the tortillas without drying them out.
- Skillet (dry skillet method): If you're warming tortillas in a skillet, all you need is your favorite pan. For corn tortillas, I recommend just a little oil as well.
How to Warm Tortillas in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. While it's warming, wrap a stack of tortillas in aluminum foil.
- Place the foil-wrapped tortillas in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
- Keep wrapped in foil until ready to serve!
How to Heat Tortillas in the Microwave
- Place the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, with a damp paper towel layered between each tortilla.
- Microwave on high for 30 seconds to a minute, until heated through.
- Remove, and serve immediately!
How to Warm Tortillas on a Dry Skillet or Griddle
- Heat a dry cast iron skillet, nonstick pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot, place one tortilla at a time directly on the hot pan, and cook for 15-20 seconds.
- Flip with tongs, and cook another 15-20 seconds.
- Remove once the tortilla is hot and starts developing char marks, then place on a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel until ready to serve!
How to Heat Up Tortillas Tips
- Make sure to cover the tortillas after they're heated! Foil or a kitchen towel work well for sealing in moisture so the tortillas don't get dry.
- Make sure to place damp paper towel between each layer when microwaving tortillas. This will ensure they don't stick together and tear!
- These methods work for both corn and flour tortillas, as well as gluten-free tortillas!
- For a real treat, heat tortillas in foil on the grill while you're cooking meat or veggies. The steam from the meat will flavor the tortillas deliciously.
Easy Dinner Ideas
How to Keep Tortillas Warm
Once your tortillas are nice and toasty, you'll want them to stay warm! Keeping tortillas warm for a party is super easy:
- For short periods: Keep tortillas warm by placing them on a plate and wrapping it with foil or a kitchen towel.
- For long periods: Wrap the warm tortillas in a damp dish towel, then place it in a slow cooker set to LOW. They will stay warm for hours!
Heating Up Tortillas FAQ
If you're busy cooking, heat tortillas by wrapping them in foil and placing them in the oven. This is hands down the easiest and best way to warm tortillas. I do this every time I make tacos now!
It's important to trap the steam coming off of tortillas, as this keeps them warm and moist. To do this, place the heated tortillas on a plate and then cover the plate with a kitchen towel. It will trap the steam and insulate them nicely!
If you need to keep tortillas warm for upwards of an hour, the answer is a slow cooker! Wrap the warmed tortillas in a damp towel, then place the entire thing in a slow cooker set to LOW. This will keep them toasty and steamy for hours on end.
Corn tortillas work very differently than soft, stretchy flour tortillas. I recommend heating them in a skillet with just a little oil; the oil helps the tortillas hold together, and toasting them will form into a nice crunchy shell that's sturdier than cold tortillas.
What to Serve with Tortillas
- Quesabirria Tacos
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Chicken Birria Tacos
- Chicken Fajitas made with our Chicken Fajita Marinade
- Steak Quesadillas
If you enjoyed the recipe, leave a comment and a rating below!
How to Warm Tortillas
Video
Equipment
- Aluminum foil for oven preparation
- Paper towel for microwave preparation
- Microwave-safe plate for microwave preparation
- Skillet for stovetop preparation
- Dish towel for keeping warm
Ingredients
- 8 Tortillas - flour or corn
Instructions
How to Warm Tortillas in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. While it's warming, wrap a stack of tortillas in aluminum foil.
- Place the foil-wrapped tortillas in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
- Keep wrapped in foil until ready to serve!
How to Warm Tortillas in the Microwave
- Place the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, with a damp paper towel layered between each tortilla.
- Microwave on high for 30 seconds to a minute, until heated through.
- Remove, and serve immediately!
How to Warm Tortillas on a Skillet or Griddle
- Heat a dry cast iron skillet, nonstick pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Once hot, place one tortilla at a time directly on the hot pan, and cook for 15-20 seconds.
- Flip with tongs, and cook another 15-20 seconds.
- Remove once the tortilla is hot and starts developing char marks, then place on a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel until ready to serve!
Notes
- Make sure to cover the tortillas after they're heated! Foil or a kitchen towel work well for sealing in moisture so the tortillas don't get dry.
- Make sure to place damp paper towel between each layer when microwaving tortillas. This will ensure they don't stick together and tear!
- These methods work for both corn and flour tortillas, as well as gluten-free tortillas!
- For a real treat, heat tortillas in foil on the grill while you're cooking meat or veggies. The steam from the meat will flavor the tortillas deliciously.
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